A sense of hope for 2009
The United States is mired in conflicts that have dragged on
longer than our involvement in World War II. The economy is a
shambles, even with the federal government shoveling billions into
banks and automakers. As a nation we’re aging, we’re gaining weight
and we’re working longer weeks.
But earlier this week, a local businessman and one of San Benito
County’s longest standing political leaders observed that he thinks
the place he calls home has the brightest future of any Central
Coast community.
A sense of hope for 2009
The United States is mired in conflicts that have dragged on longer than our involvement in World War II. The economy is a shambles, even with the federal government shoveling billions into banks and automakers. As a nation we’re aging, we’re gaining weight and we’re working longer weeks.
But earlier this week, a local businessman and one of San Benito County’s longest standing political leaders observed that he thinks the place he calls home has the brightest future of any Central Coast community.
While we all bemoan high profile business closures and looted retirement accounts, there’s much cause for optimism as we reflect on 2008 during the year’s last days.
Hollister’s new wastewater treatment plant may be a few years late in coming, and its cost leaves us with sewer rates steep enough to constipate anyone. But it’s done. The six-year-long moratorium on new hookups is over, and when demand arrives, building can begin.
Speaking of building, Hollister’s long, moratorium-driven, winter of discontent presented an opportunity. A new city general plan and zoning ordinance have been adopted. The county is moving through its new general plan. Both documents include broad public input, and represent progressive visions for the future of our community. Downtown Hollister, in particular, is seen as a place where people will live, work and play.
And downtown Hollister will become a destination with the opening of the Hwy. 25 bypass that will, in a few months, take through traffic out of downtown. That will allow for new landscaping and street design that will invite strolling in the downtown, even as traffic moves more efficiently through new residential and commercial areas.
San Juan Bautista recently broke ground on a new water and sewer network, welcome news in a small town that still depends on some crumbling infrastructure dating back to the 19th Century.
Aromas residents spoke up, and the mighty U.S. Postal Service listened. After first threatening to close the village’s post office, citizen efforts saved the town’s leading meeting place.
And the same thing happened when state officials selected an out-of-the-way location for a future courthouse site. County and city leaders spoke up, and collaborated to get state officials to take a second look at a site in the city center.
Our schools are centers of community pride.
And, after two years of drought, it’s raining again.
There’s good reason to agree with that seasoned statesman. 2008 has been very, very good to San Benito County.
